NFL Football, MLB Baseball, NBA Basketball, NHL Hockey

Month: September 2017

Marcus Cooper hopefully will never slow down before actually scoring a touchdown again.

The Bears cornerback appeared to have an easy score while returning a blocked field goal during Sunday’s game against the Steelers, but he slowed down before crossing into the end zone.

The Bears were able to make the most out of Cooper’s fumble and apparent touchback.

After reviewing the play, Steelers punter Jordan Berry was called for an illegal bat of the ball out of the end zone.

The penalty was enforced at the Steelers’ 1-yard line, which allowed Chicago one untimed down.

Bears kicker Connor Barth made a 24-yard field goal attempt as the first-half clock expired.

Elite Kids Kellen Winslow Jersey You can make a case that the Texans lost through a self-inflicted mistake of another kind. Facing fourth-and-inches on the Patriots’ 18-yard line with 2:24 to go and a two-point lead, coach Bill O’Brien elected to send out kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to attempt a 36-yard field goal to go up five, handing the ball back to Tom Brady while trusting the defense to come up with a stop. The alternative option, of course, would have been to trust Deshaun Watson to find a half-yard and move the chains, even if it meant the downside of turning the ball over to Brady with the Pats only in need of a field goal to win.

Should the Texans have gone for it? I think so. Their running game had been effective in the second half against a thin Patriots defense; while Lamar Miller had been stuffed for no gain on the third-and-1 before O’Brien’s call, it was the first time in 18 second-half tries that Houston’s rushing attack had been stopped for no gain or a loss. The Patriots had just used their two timeouts, but their defense also had faced 36 plays during the second half and looked worse for wear.

SB Nation’s Alex Kirshner dug into the rulebook and pointed out that it was almost certainly not, which gives me hope that the refs did what I have always wanted them to do in situations like this: know something is illegal but allow it to stand mostly because it was really fucking cool.Game Kids Klay Thompson Jersey
Every sport: Adopt this bylaw to your rulebook. If something nuts happens, ref gets to decide that, for this one time at least, you know what, we’re just gonna let this fly. Call it the You Know What We’re Just Gonna Let This Fly Bylaw. Don’t trust the refs? Let the commissioner call down and make the ruling. I don’t care. We’ll let the lawyers work that out.

Fewer fans also means much less waiting in line for concessions or restrooms. That’s always a hassle at a large stadium, having to time a bathroom, food or beer run. It will be easier at StubHub Center. For example, Katie Pandolfo, StubHub’s general manager, said that while most NFL stadiums have a ratio of about 120 fans to each concession stand, we tried to get even lower than that. We’re at 112 to one.

The Rams have recognized the perils of too many fans, especially since they play in the aging Coliseum. The team will sell only 70,000 tickets for games this year, down 10,000 from 2016. Shorter lines and a better fan experience were the reasons cited for the move.

Despite what Spanos said about sports stadiums downsizing, there’s no way NFL teams want to play in 27,000-seat stadiums; too much revenue is being left on the table, even if ticket prices are high. Fewer fans means less money made on parking, concessions and merchandise. In 2020, the Chargers will move into the new stadium they will share with the Rams and the capacity there will be 70,000.

The Chargers are playing at a tiny stadium out of necessity, but this will turn out to be a plus for fans.

The Minnesota Vikings were cautiously optimistic about Sam Bradford’s availability heading into their Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the quarterback ended up not being ready to go. Bradford suffered a knee injury last week, so backup Case Keenum will get the start instead.

What happened? Bradford received an MRI on his left knee on Tuesday, one day after Minnesota defeated the New Orleans Saints. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the 29-year-old quarterback went through an MRI because he experienced swelling and pain in his left knee after the game. Bradford had ACL surgery on his left knee in 2013 and 2014 when he was with the Rams.

There’s a good chance the Browns don’t hear the end of this one, either. The Indians open up a four-game series against the Royals starting on Thursday. The last time the two teams faced off in a series was at the beginning of the Indians’ win streak, where they shut them out over three games, 20-0.

That means by Sunday, if the Indians were to miraculously sweep the Royals in four games, they would be up to 25. If the Browns can beat the Ravens Sunday on the road, they’d be up to just 22 wins since Oct. 24, 2011.

Sunday was an absolutely dreadful performance. Dak played one of his worst games of his young NFL career. Ezekiel Elliott failed to record ten yards. The offensive line was bullied by the Broncos’ front-seven. The defense was embarrassed. It was a total team effort — or lack thereof — in the Mile High city. That isn’t even factoring in the affects of the high altitude or Denver’s incredible home-field advantage. Nonetheless, excuses aside, the Dallas Cowboys were humiliated on Sunday.

As the quarterback of America’s Team, Dak faces more pressure than almost anybody in the sport. That said, there seems to be a large amount of people questioning whether or not Dak Prescott can bounce back from Sunday’s poor and week one’s average performances.

Authentic Mens Zach Strief JerseyWalt Aikens Jersey Darren Sproles (10 carries) and Wendell Smallwood (three) carried the load for Philly. Sproles has now been on the field for 80 (or 60 percent) of the Eagles’ offensive snaps this season. Blount (29 snaps) and Smallwood (28) have played a complementary role. Blount figures to play more when the Eagles aren’t playing from behind, but he’s nowhere near a consistent enough role to be in fantasy lineups. Sproles is a solid flex option.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys: For the first time in his NFL career of 17 games, Elliott was held to single-digit fantasy points, his 6.2 PPR and 2.2 non-PPR points easily the worst numbers of his career so far. He was started in 99.4 percent of ESPN leagues, which was actually up by more than 3 percent from his Week 1 number (96.2) despite his facing the Broncos’ defense.

Jaguars defense: What a mess their game was, as the Jaguars D/ST, started in 53.1 percent of ESPN leagues after they tied for the leading score at the position in Week 1 (29, tied with the Los Angeles Rams), finished the 1 p.m. ET block with the second-fewest fantasy points (minus-1). That said, there remain three more favorable matchups (than this one) for this defense coming up: at New York Jets (Week 4), versus Los Angeles Rams (Week 6), at Indianapolis Colts (Week 7). So exercise some patience with this squad, and don’t discard it as a streaming option.

Player to watch: Jay Cutler, QB, Dolphins — The Dolphins signed Cutler to replace Tannehill because of his familiarity with coach Adam Gase. Cutler had one of his best NFL seasons in 2015 when Gase was his offensive coordinator in Chicago.

Impact rookie: Zay Jones, WR, Bills — After trading Sammy Watkins to the Rams, who signed former Bills receiver Robert Woods in the offseason, and the retirement of Anquan Boldin, Jones was thrust into the No. 1 role. The former East Carolina receiver is the FBS all-time leader in both career and single-season receptions. Jones had an excellent preseason and, as Buffalo’s top receiver, he just might be the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Authentic Womens Luke Kuechly Jersey The NFL had cleared Elliott to play against the Giants even before a federal judge on Friday slapped a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on the league’s six-game suspension (scheduled to start in Week 2) for alleged domestic abuse, perhaps opening a path for the running back to play the entire season. Elliott then went out and had a ballgame against the Giants, gaining 104 yards on 24 carries, before his employer, Jerry Jones, stood outside the Dallas locker room and all but painted him as a model Cowboy.

Ernie Stautner Game Jersey Odell Beckham went down with an ugly-looking ankle injury in the second week of preseason play last month, and hasn’t seen a single snap since. He escaped a serious injury, but the sprain was severe enough that it looked like it would hold Beckham out of the Giants’ Week 1 Sunday Night Football game against the Cowboys.

Over the last 48 hours, things have changed, and his status is now a game-time decision. There isn’t a ton of optimism he’ll play, but according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the plan is for Beckham to go through his usual pregame workout.

He was seen warming up on the field before the game, but it wasn’t a full-speed kind of affair.Chris Chelios Game Jersey
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer noted that Beckham didn’t think he’d play earlier in the week, but then he started to run and return to game-shape. He said that adrenaline may push Beckham towards playing against his NFC rival team.

Witten, who is in his 15th season, already held the team records for catches, yards and touchdowns by a tight end. He ranks second among tight ends for most catches in NFL history.

He caught 110 passes in 2012, which was the most by a tight end in NFL history and one off Irvin’s team record for most receptions in a season. Witten has 21 100-yard receiving games, the most by a tight end in team history.

On Oct. 28, 2012, against the Giants, he caught 18 passes, the most by a Cowboy and the most in a game by a tight end in league history. He owns the team record for most consecutive games played (220) and consecutive games started (164).

Unsigned former Giants kicker Josh Brown has been suspended an additional six games for domestic violence accusations, the NFL announced Friday afternoon.

Brown served a one-game suspension to begin the 2016 season after reports surfaced of the May 2015 incident involving his then-wife. He ultimately was released by the Giants last October after documents related to the case were made public. Brown consistently described the incident as “a moment” but also eventually admitted to physically, verbally and emotionally abusing Molly Brown, who has since divorced him.

Owens’ dance partner will be Cheryl Burke, who recently announced she would be returning to the show this season after taking a hiatus last season.

“If I can handle Bill Parcells then I can handle Cheryl,” Owens said of his former coach with the Cowboys. “But it’s going to be challenge. Yesterday we got our first start at trying to learn some steps, so that’s the challenge.”

Owens spent 15 years in the NFL before last playing with the Bengals in 2010. He was signed to the Seahawks practice squad in 2012, but was released that same year.

It’s unclear if Owens will incorporate any of his famous touchdown dances into his routines.

With Adrian Peterson receiving the ball just six times in his New Orleans Saints debut on Monday night — tied for the fewest number of carries in a game in his career — some are wondering whether the veteran running back was utilized properly in what was an ugly 29-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson himself was seen having an animated exchange with Sean Payton on the sideline during the game, though both the player and coach downplayed it.

What do you think of Peterson’s workload (six carries for 18 yards and no receptions), which was lighter than fellow backs Mark Ingram (six carries, five receptions) and Alvin Kamara (seven carries, four receptions)? Should he have been given more opportunities? And what should his role be going forward?

The Saints face the New England Patriots on Sunday looking to avoid dropping to 0-2.

Tarik Cohen scores a touchdown on what looked like a wheel route (my attention is not always fully invested in Mike Glennon’s work), and the Bears are giving the Falcons all they can handle. Remember that name: Tarik Cohen. I certainly will and always have, dating back to his youth in Bunn, N.C.

Game Youth Travis Dermott Jersey On third-and-6 in the red zone with his team trailing, Kirk Cousins makes a terrible throw that gets intercepted at the goal line. The next time RedZone clicks over to the Washington-Eagles game, Brandon Graham is pulverizing Cousins just as he’s about to throw, leading to a fumble that Fletcher Cox takes into the end zone to ice the game. The replay looks like it could be ruled an incomplete pass, but the refs are like, Nah, let’s go home, and I respect that.

With the Bears trailing by six, Mike Glennon leads a hopeful but doomed last-gasp drive into the red zone. He gets sacked on fourth-and-10 to end the game, and the Bears all lift him onto their shoulders to celebrate covering the 7-point spread. They’re gonna be the best damn five-win team you’ve ever seen.Limited Youth Arthur Brown Jersey

Authentic Womens Steve Francis Jersey
Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy has been upheld by an arbitrator. Despite the decision, Elliott is eligible to play Week 1 against the Giants.

What happens now that an arbitrator has upheld Zeke’s suspension? All your burning questions on the next steps in the process answered here.
He seems very focused, locked in on meetings, the walk-through, coach Jason Garrett said. We’ll have a good practice today. He’s done an excellent job in his preparation.

Elliott’s six-game suspension was upheld by arbitrator Harold Henderson on Tuesday night, but because of the timing of the announcement, he will be allowed to play Sunday. A U.S. District Court judge will make a ruling Friday on the injunction Elliott is seeking to prevent the NFL’s discipline.

Much of Flacco’s success could hinge on the Ravens’ offensive line, which has also been hampered by injuries and the sudden retirement of center John Urschel on the first day of training camp.

However, six-time Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda and left tackle Ronnie Stanley are expected to play. This should give Flacco more time to throw downfield and also help Baltimore’s running attack.

The Ravens will unveil some playmakers they added in the offseason, including receiver Jeremy Maclin and Woodhead. Baltimore boosted its defense, ranked No. 1 through parts of the 2016 season, with the signing of safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback Brandon Carr.

It is their home opener, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said. They obviously have been preparing for this game ever since we played them last year. It is their home opener, and they want to start off good. Both teams want to start off good, but we are just going to have it out on Sunday.Alex Killorn Authentic Jersey

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said running back Ezekiel Elliott will be at practice Tuesday, which would precede the running back’s scheduled appearance at the U.S. District Court in Sherman, Texas, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

At the Sherman hearing, a judge will hear Elliott’s request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the NFL from enforcing a decision on his appeal hearing.

Detroit took the lead for the first time in the game when Washington plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out.

Jack Eichel Game Jersey Two more field goals from Stephen Gostkowski was enough for the Patriots to get the lead and the victory.

John Jerry Game Jersey Spencer Ware was carted off of the field midway through the first quarter. He was immediately ruled out of the game and it has the look of a major, long-term injury. Rookie Kareem Hunt took over as the starting running back.

After another Blair Walsh field goal, Russell Wilson tossed a touchdown pass to Tre Madden, which gave the Seahawks a 13-3 lead for … about 12 seconds.

After a pretty bad kickoff return earlier, De’Anthony Thomas redeemed himself by dusting the Seahawks for 95 yards to make it 13-10 Chiefs.

That was a hell of a kick in the nuts to lose all that money, Mitrione said. There was nothing you could do about it. You find yourself being their bitch and you’re calling them up being like ‘Hey man, I just had a fight and I haven’t had a check in the mail. Am I gonna get one?’ Then you’re begging your boss for money? Like ‘Please sir, can I have some more?’ like you’re Oliver Twist asking for a second helping.

How far is MMA from a real unionizing effort? And how far is the sport from being a more viable career path for top athletes?